Bra with pockets

ABSTRACT

A bra comprising first and second layers. The first layer having front, rear, left and right sides, and a top and bottom. The second layer is attached to the front side of the first layer. The second layer defines first and second cup shaped portions, the first and second cup shaped portions and the front side of the first layer defines first and second pockets. The front side of the first layer is responsive to a wearer&#39;s breasts such that a wearer&#39;s breasts are accommodated by the first and second cup shaped portions. The front side of the first layer is sandwiched between the wearer&#39;s breasts and the first and second cup portions of the second layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to an article of clothing. Moreparticularly, this invention is directed to an article of clothing whichis a bra (brassiere) having a structure suited for carrying articlessuch as keys, identification cards, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,280 discloses a surgical brassier having a firstpocket with an opening for receiving a front breast prosthesis and asecond pocket with an opening for receiving a side prosthesis. Thesecond pocket is disposed in overlapping relation to the first pocketsuch that any tab on the front prosthesis in the first pocket whichextends out of the first pocket opening will be covered by the secondpocket to prevent contact of the prosthesis tab with the skin of thewearer.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,205 discloses a brassiere (bra) having concealedpockets which are configured and sized for adaptability to breastvariations and cup configurations. The concealed closable pockets areconfigured and sized to dwell within the upper section of each brassierecup, having upper and lower sheet portions folded over and stitchedtogether. The pocket opening is designed with an inner lip portion,which is reinforced and includes fasteners, such as VELCRO® fastenerstrips to secure enclosed valuables in the pocket.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,217 discloses an undergarment that comprises askin-contacting panel and an outer sheer panel which define a pockettherebetween. The pocket is adapted for interchangeably receiving aninsert wherein the insert can be seen through the sheer panel. Insertsare provided in a variety of colors, appearances, or scents forplacement into the undergarments to change the decorative scheme of theundergarment. Attachments may also be provided that comprise buttoncovers or bows which are attached to the undergarments, wherein theattachments preferably match the color of a particular insert.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,761 discloses a sports bra with a storage pouch. The'761 bra includes a pair of cups joined by a cleavage portion betweenthe proximate edges of the cups and a back strap portion between thedistal edges of the cups. The cups and cleavage portion are made ofcloth having substantially universal elasticity so as to provideadequate support. A rectangular panel made of cloth having substantiallyuniversal elasticity is fastened along its bottom and side edges to aninside wall of the cleavage portion of the bra to form a storage pouchof approximately credit card dimensions. A plurality of short hook andloop segments extending substantially fully across the upper inside edgeof the panel with mating segments of hook and loop material oppositelyfixed along the inside wall of the cleavage portion of the bra allowsthe pouch to be completely sealed while still affording the desireduniversal elasticity. Preferably, the panel is made of back-to-backpieces of cloth with the inner one being non-absorbent and the cleavageportion is also made of back-to-back pieces of cloth with the inner onebeing non-absorbent so as to allow the sports bra to be fully absorbentalong its body contact surfaces and yet provide a no-absorbent storagepouch to protect its contents. A flat member may be disposed between thepanel cloths to stiffen the storage pouch.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,364,491 discloses a combination sports bra and securepocket garment having a front mounted three section pocket with a singlezipper closure. A cord hole in the pocket and a cord loop on the braenables a cord to be retained from an electronic device in the closedpocket to a headset on the wearer.

U.S. Design Patent No. D529,259 shows a brassiere (bra) includesstorage. pockets to hold valuables such as money, keys, and jewelry.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,996 discloses a brassiere with two breast-receivingcups each having an inner breast-receiving surface and an opposing outersurface. A pocket component is affixed to the outer surface of one ofthe breast-receiving cups. The pocket component opposes a portion of theouter surface of the one of the breast-receiving cups. The pocketcomponent and the portion of the outer surface of the one of thebreast-receiving cups forms a storage space having a first shape and anopening into the storage space. A substrate, having a second shape, isdisposed in the storage space and is capable of accepting writingapplied thereto by a writing instrument, in which the substrate isremovable from the storage space through the opening. The second shapeof the substrate conforms substantially to the first shape of thestorage space.

There is a need for an article of clothing for conveniently and securelystoring needed personal articles such as keys and credit cards and thelike. In particular, there is a need for a brassiere (bra) forconveniently and securely storing needed personal articles such as keysand credit cards and the like.

It is accordingly a problem in the prior art to provide a brassiere(bra) for conveniently and securely storing needed personal articlessuch as keys and credit cards and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a bra according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the bra of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bra of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a section view with respect to line 3-3 shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bra of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a section view with respect to line 4-4 shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an environmental section view based on the section view shownin FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a section view with respect to line 5-5 shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is an environmental section view based on the section view shownin FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10 through 12 show various views of an optional snap deviceaccording to the invention.

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C show Table 1.

FIG. 14 shows a rear perspective view of a bra according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14A shows a personal item stored in a pouch of the bra shown inFIG. 14.

FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of the bra of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective top view of the bra of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective front view of the bra of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a section view with respect to line 3 a-3 a shown in FIG. 17.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bra comprising first and second layers. The first layer having front,rear, left and right sides, and a top and bottom. The second layer isattached to the front side of the first layer. The second layer definesfirst and second cup shaped portions, the first and second cup shapedportions and the front side of the first layer defines first and secondpockets. The front side of the first layer is responsive to a wearer'sbreasts such that a wearer's breasts are accommodated by the first andsecond cup shaped portions. The front side of the first layer issandwiched between the wearer's breasts and the first and second cupportions of the second layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION dddddddddddddddddddddddddd

This invention is directed to an article of clothing. More particularly,this invention is directed to an article of clothing which is abrassiere (bra), having a structure suited for carrying articles such askeys, identification cards, and the like. The terms “brassiere” and“bra” are hereinafter regarded as equivalent terms. The bra of thepresent invention is denoted generally by the numeric label “100”.

Referring to FIG. 1 with regard to which the meaning of the numbers andlabels shown in FIG. 1 are described in Table 1. FIG. 1 shows anenvironmental, perspective view of a bra 100 according to the invention,which is shown being worn by a wearer 120. The bra 100 includes firstand second pockets 160 and 180, which enable a wearer 120 to safelycarry personal items, such as the illustrated item 140, while enjoyingfirm support. The bra 100 has an unusual design feature wherein thefirst and second pockets 160 and 180, and in particular first and secondcup shaped portions 200 and 220 as described below, also function as bracups. The first and second pockets 160 and 180 respectively define firstand second openings 184 and 186.

The bra 100 has an optional snap device 190 for supporting a personalitem 140 or for holding a key ring 191 or the like, as shown in FIGS.10-12. The optional snap 190 includes a body portion 192 having firstand second opposite ends 193 a and 193 b. First and second cooperatingsnap members 194 and 196 are respectively located at first and secondopposite ends 193 a and 193 b. The optional snap device 190, and moreparticularly body portion 192, can be bent back to form a loop shape197. The optional snap device 190 can be affixed to the bra 100 by anyknown means such as stitching or use of adhesive glue. One of thecooperating snap members 194 or 196 can be inserted through the firstlayer 400 at, for example, the side 400 s 2. For example, cooperatingsnap member 194 can be inserted through first layer 400 at side 400 s 2,wherein snap member 194 is held in place by attaching cooperating snapmember 196 to cooperating snap member 194. The optional snap device 190is shown in FIGS. 10 through 12.

Referring generally to the Figures with regard to which the meaning ofnumbers and labels shown in the Figures are described in Table 1 (seeFIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C). The bra defines front 240, rear 260, left 280and right 300 sides as viewed looking directly at the front side 240.The bra 100 further defines top 320 and bottom 340 ends, and includesfirst 360 and second 380 shoulder straps. The bra 100 comprises firstand second layers 400 and 420. The alpha-numeric labels “400 f” and “400r” merely refer to the front and rear portions of the first layer 400,i.e., the front and rear portions 400 f and 400 r are integral with andform part of the first layer 400. In FIG. 3 the first 360 and second 380shoulder straps form part of, and are integral with, the first layer400. However, the shoulder straps 360 and 380 can be separate componentsattached to the first layer 400 by any suitable method such asstitching. The first layer defines a top 400 t and bottom 400 b (seeFIG. 2) which can coincide with the top 320 and bottom 340 ends of thebra 100. The first layer 400 extends around the bra 100 to form the rearside 260, and the left and right sides 280 and 300 of the bra 100 (see,for example, FIG. 4). The first layer 400 defines an outer-surface 440and an inner-surface 460; for convenience the outer-surface 440 of thefirst layer 400 at the front 240 of the bra 100 is designated by thealpha-numeric label “440 f”, and the inner-surface of the first layer atthe rear 260 of the bra 100 is designated the alpha-numeric label “460r”. The second layer 420 is attached to the outer-surface 440 f of thefirst layer 400 thereby in combination defining the front side 240 ofbra 100; see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 2. The second layer 420 can be attachedto the outer surface 440 f by any suitable means such as, but notlimited to, stitching. The second layer 420 defines first and second cupshaped portions 200 and 220. First and second breast cups 200 and 220respectively define exterior surfaces 480 and 500 and interior surfaces520 and 540. The interior surfaces 520 and 540 form part of theouter-surface 440 f of the first layer 400. An optional sewn seam 410can be applied to separate the first and second pockets 160 and 180, asshown in FIG. 12.

When worn the wearer's breasts 120 b and 120 c press up against thefirst layer 400 and more particularly against the inner-surface 460 f atthe front side 400 f of first layer 400. The materials of the front side400 f of the bra 100 is sufficiently flexible and lose to allow thewearer's breasts to push into the first and second breast cups 200 and220 albeit separated from the cups 200 and 220 by the front side 400 fof first layer 400 (see FIGS. 6 through 9). The first and second cups200 and 220 can be any suitable size such as full cup size,three-quarter cup size or half-cup size.

It is preferred, but not essential, that the second layer 420 extendsacross and beyond both wearer's breasts 120 b and 120 c. In oneembodiment the second layer 420 lacks optional sewn seam 410 thusallowing the wearer 120 to place lengthy personal items that extendbetween the first and second pockets 160 and 180.

In one embodiment the bra 100 comprises first and second layers 400 and420, the first layer 400 having front 400 f, rear 400 r, left and rightsides 400 s 1 and 400 s 2, top and bottom ends 400 t and 400 b. The bra100 has top and bottom ends 320 and 340 ends; bottom and top ends 320and 340 respectively define and coincide with the top 400 t and bottom400 b ends of the first layer 400. The second layer 420 is attached tothe front side 400 f of the first layer 400, the second layer 420defines first and second cup shaped portions 200 and 220. The first andsecond cup shaped portions 200 and 220 are located opposite the frontside 400 f. The first and second cup shaped portions 200 and 220 incombination with the front side 400 f of the first layer 400respectively define first and second pockets 160 and 180.

The first and second pockets 160 and 180 respectively include first andsecond openings 184 and 186. The front side 400 f of the first layer 400being responsive to a wearer's breasts 120 b and 120 c such that awearer's breasts are accommodated by the first and second cup shapedportions 200 and 220. The front side 400 f of the first layer iscontinuously disposed without interruption across the wearer's breasts120 b and 120 c and opposite the first and second cup portions 200 and220. The front side 400 f is sufficiently flexible to allow a wearer'sbreasts 120 b and 120 c to flow into the first and second cup shapedportions 200 and 220 defined by the second layer 420 without coming intodirect contact with the first and second cup portions 200 and 220.

The first layer 400 is continuously present between both of the wearer'sbreasts and the first and second cup shaped portions 200 and 220. Morespecifically, the term “continuously present” in the context of thefirst layer 400 is intended to mean that the front side 400 f forms alayer between both of the wearer's breasts and the first and second cupshaped portions 200 and 220. Put another way, the front side 400 f issandwiched between the wearer's breasts and said first and second cupportions 200 and 220.

Another embodiment the bra is shown in FIGS. 14 through 18 with regardto which the meaning of numbers and labels are found in FIG. 13C, whichforms part of Table 1. In this embodiment, a bra 100 a is a two piecebra with a second layer 420 a is stitched inside a first layer 400 a asshown, for example, by the exploded view of FIG. 15. An optional snapdevice 190 a is shown attached on the inner-surface 460 af of the firstlayer 400 a as shown, for example, in FIG. 14A. The optional snap device190 a is typically used to hold one or more keys.

The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same maybe varied in many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A bra comprising: a first layer and a second layer,said first layer comprises a front side, a rear side, a left side, aright side and top and bottom ends, said second layer is attached to thefront side of said first layer, said second layer defining first andsecond cup shaped portions, said first and second cup shaped portionsand said front side of said first layer defining first and secondpockets, said front side of said first layer being responsive to awearer's breasts such that a wearer's breasts are accommodated by saidfirst and second said cup shaped portions wherein said front side issandwiched between the wearer's breasts and said first and second cupportions; a first shoulder strap; and a second shoulder strap.
 2. Thebra according to claim 1 further comprising a snap device for supportinga personal item.
 3. The bra according to claim 1 further comprising asnap device for supporting a personal item, said snap device comprisinga body portion having first and second opposite ends, wherein first andsecond cooperating snap members are respectively located at first andsecond opposite ends of said body portion of said snap device.
 4. A bracomprising: a first layer and a second layer, said first layer comprisesa front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side and top and bottomends, said front side of said first layer defines an inner-surface, saidsecond layer is attached to the inner-surface of said front side of saidfirst layer, said front side of said first layer and said second layerdefining a pouch, wherein a snap device for holding one or more keys isattached to the inner-surface of said front side of said first layer; afirst shoulder strap; and a second shoulder strap.